UNIT I

INTRODUCTION TO COMPUTERS
 In today's world, we use computers for all our tasks. Our
day-to-day activities: paying bills, buying groceries,
using social media, seeking entertainment, working from
home, communicating with a friend, etc., can all be done
using a computer.
 So it is important not only to know how to use a
computer, but also to understand the components of a
computer and what they do.
WHAT IS A COMPUTER?
 A computer is an electronic device that accepts data from the
user, processes it, produces results, displays them to the users,
and stores the results for future usage.
 Data is a collection of unorganized facts & figures and does
not provide any further information regarding patterns,
context, etc. Hence data means "unstructured facts and
figures".
 Information is a structured data i.e. organized meaningful and
processed data. To process the data and convert into
information, a computer is used.
FUNCTIONS OF COMPUTERS
A computer performs the following functions −
 Receiving Input: Data is fed into computer through
various input devices like keyboard, mouse, digital pens,
etc. Input can also be fed through devices like CD-ROM,
pen drive, scanner, etc.
 Processing the information: Operations on the input
data are carried out based on the instructions provided in
the programs.
CONTINUE..
 Storing the information: After processing, the
information gets stored in the primary or secondary
storage area.
 Producing output: The processed information and other
details are communicated to the outside world through
output devices like monitor, printer, etc.
CHARACTERISTICS OF COMPUTERS
CONTINUE..
 Speed: A computer works with much higher speed and
accuracy compared to humans while performing
mathematical calculations. Computers can process
millions (1,000,000) of instructions per second. The time
taken by computers for their operations is microseconds
and nanoseconds.
 Accuracy: Computers perform calculations with 100%
accuracy. Errors may occur due to data inconsistency or
inaccuracy.
CONTINUE..
 Diligence: A computer can perform millions of tasks or
calculations with the same consistency and accuracy. It
doesn’t feel any fatigue or lack of concentration. Its
memory also makes it superior to that of human beings.
 Versatility: Versatility refers to the capability of a
computer to perform different kinds of works with same
accuracy and efficiency.
 Automation: Computer performs all the tasks
automatically i.e. it performs tasks without manual
intervention.
CONTINUE..
 Reliability: A computer is reliable as it gives consistent
result for similar set of data i.e., if we give same set of
input any number of times, we will get the same result.
 Memory: A computer has built-in memory called
primary memory where it stores data. Secondary storage
are removable devices such as CDs, pen drives, etc.,
which are also used to store data.
CONTINUE..
 Storage: Computer systems have a very large capacity to
store any type of data. A computer can store and resell
any information due to its storage capacity.
 Computers have the ability to store all types of data such
as data, pictures, files, programs, games, and sound for
many years and later we can get any data in a few
seconds at any time for taking that information and for
future retrieval.
CONTINUE..
 No Feeling: In computers, like humans, there is no
feeling and emotion, nor does the computer have any
knowledge and experience, because a computer is a
machine which works continuously on the instruction of
humans without any selfishness and without tiredness.
 No IQ: A computer is a dumb machine, without a user, a
computer is a useless machine and device. Until a user
does not give any instruction, it cannot do any work and
only after completing the instruction, he completes that
work very fast. A computer system is completely
dependent on us humans how to work.
GENERATIONS OF COMPUTER
 The development of computer systems is normally
discussed as the development over different generations.
 With the succession of different generations, came the
advancement in computer technology.
FIRST GENERATION
 The period 1940 to 1956, roughly considered as the First
Generation of Computer.
 The first generation computers were developed by using
vacuum tube or thermionic valve machine.
 The input of this system was based on punched cards and
paper tape; however, the output was displayed on
printouts.
 The first generation computers worked on binary-coded
concept (i.e., language of 0-1). Examples: ENIAC,
EDVAC, etc.
CONTINUE.
SECOND GENERATION
 The period 1956 to 1963 is roughly considered as the
period of Second Generation of Computers.
 The second generation computers were developed by
using transistor technology.
 In comparison to the first generation, the size of second
generation was smaller.
 In comparison to computers of the first generation, the
computing time taken by the computers of the second
generation was lesser.
CONTINUE..
THIRD GENERATION
 The period 1963 to 1971 is roughly considered as the
period of Third Generation of computers.
 The third generation computers were developed by using
the Integrated Circuit (IC) technology.
 In comparison to the computers of the second
generation, the size of the computers of the third
generation was smaller.
 In comparison to the computers of the second
generation, the computing time taken by the computers
of the third generation was lesser.
CONTINUE..
 The third generation computer consumed less power and
also generated less heat.
 The maintenance cost of the computers in the third
generation was also low.
 The computer system of the computers of the third
generation was easier for commercial use.
CONTINUE..
FOURTH GENERATION
 The period 1972 to 2010 is roughly considered as the
fourth generation of computers.
 The fourth generation computers were developed by
using microprocessor technology.
 By coming to fourth generation, computer became very
small in size, it became portable.
 The machine of fourth generation started generating very
low amount of heat.
 It is much faster and accuracy became more reliable.
 The production cost reduced to very low in comparison
to the previous generation.
 It became available for the common people as well.
CONTINUE..
FIFTH GENERATION
 The period 2010 to till date and beyond, roughly
considered as the period of fifth generation of computers.
 By the time, the computer generation was being
categorized on the basis of hardware only, but the fifth
generation technology also included software.
 The computers of the fifth generation had high capability
and large memory capacity.
 Working with computers of this generation was fast and
multiple tasks could be performed simultaneously.
 Some of the popular advanced technologies of the fifth
generation include Artificial intelligence, Quantum
computation, Nanotechnology, Parallel processing, etc.
CONTINUE..
BLOCK DIAGRAM OF COMPUTER
INPUT UNIT
 All the data received by the computer goes through the
input unit. The input unit comprises different devices.
Like a mouse, keyboard, scanner, etc. In other words,
each of these devices acts as a mediator between the
users and the computer.
 The data that is to be processed is put through the input
unit. The computer accepts the raw data in binary form.
It then processes the data, and produces the desired
output.
CONTINUE..
 The 3 major functions of the input unit are-
 Take the data to be processed by the user.
 Convert the given data into machine-readable form.
 And then, transmit the converted data into the main memory
of the computer. The sole purpose is to connect the user and
the computer. In addition, this creates easy communication
between them.
CPU – CENTRAL PROCESSING UNIT
 Central Processing Unit or the CPU, is the brain of the
computer. It works the same way a human brain works.
As the brain controls all human activities, the CPU too
controls all tasks.
 Moreover, the CPU conducts all the arithmetical and
logical operations in the computer.
 Now the CPU comprises of two units, namely – ALU
(Arithmetic Logic Unit) and CU (Control Unit). Both of
these units work in sync. The CPU processes the data as
a whole.
ALU – ARITHMETIC LOGIC UNIT
 The Arithmetic Logic Unit is made of two terms,
arithmetic and logic. There are two major functions that
this unit performs.
 Data inserted through the input unit into the primary
memory. Performs the basic arithmetical operation on it.
Like addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division. It
performs all sorts of calculations required on the data.
Then sends back data to the storage.
 The unit is also responsible for performing logical
operations like, AND, OR, Equal to, Less than, etc. In
addition to this it conducts merging, sorting, and
selection of the given data.
CU – CONTROL UNIT
 The control unit as the name suggests is the controller of
all the activities/tasks and operations. All this is
performed inside the computer.
 The memory unit sends a set of instructions to the
control unit. Then the control unit in turn converts those
instructions. After that these instructions are converted to
control signals.
 These control signals help in prioritizing and scheduling
the activities. Thus, the control unit coordinates the tasks
inside the computer in sync with the input and output
units.
MEMORY UNIT
 All the data that has to be processed or has been
processed is stored in the memory unit. The memory unit
acts as a hub of all the data. It transmits it to the required
part of the computer whenever necessary.
 The memory unit works in sync with the CPU. This
helps in faster accessing and processing of the data.
Thus, making tasks easier and faster.
OUTPUT
 There is nothing to be amazed by what the output unit is
used for. All the information sent to the computer once
processed is received by the user through the output unit.
Devices like printers, monitors, projector, etc. all come
under the output unit.
 The output unit displays the data either in the form of a
soft copy or hard copy. The printer is for the hard copy.
The monitor is for the display. The output unit accepts
the data in binary form from the computer. It then
converts it into a readable form for the user.
NUMBER SYSTEM CONVERSION
There are many methods or techniques which can be used
to convert numbers from one base to another. We'll
demonstrate here the following −
 Decimal to Other Base System

 Other Base System to Decimal

 Other Base System to Non-Decimal

 Shortcut method − Binary to Octal

 Shortcut method − Octal to Binary

 Shortcut method − Binary to Hexadecimal

 Shortcut method − Hexadecimal to Binary

DECIMAL TO OTHER BASE SYSTEM
 Step 1 − Divide the decimal number to be converted by
the value of the new base.
 Step 2 − Get the remainder from Step 1 as the rightmost
digit (least significant digit) of new base number.
 Step 3 − Divide the quotient of the previous divide by
the new base.
 Step 4 − Record the remainder from Step 3 as the next
digit (to the left) of the new base number.
 Repeat Steps 3 and 4, getting remainders from right to
left, until the quotient becomes zero in Step 3.
 The last remainder thus obtained will be the Most
Significant Digit (MSD) of the new base number.
EXAMPLE −
 Decimal Number: 29
 Calculating Binary Equivalent −

Step Operation Result Remainder

Step 1 29 / 2 14 1
Step 2 14 / 2 7 0
Step 3 7/2 3 1
Step 4 3/2 1 1
Step 5 1/2 0 1
CONTINUE..
 As mentioned in Steps 2 and 4, the remainders have to
be arranged in the reverse order so that the first
remainder becomes the Least Significant Digit (LSD)
and the last remainder becomes the Most Significant
Digit (MSD).
 Decimal Number − 29 = Binary Number − 11101.
OTHER BASE SYSTEM TO DECIMAL
SYSTEM
 Step 1 − Determine the column (positional) value of
each digit (this depends on the position of the digit and
the base of the number system).
 Step 2 − Multiply the obtained column values (in Step 1)
by the digits in the corresponding columns.
 Step 3 − Sum the products calculated in Step 2. The total
is the equivalent value in decimal.
EXAMPLE
 Binary Number − 111012
 Calculating Decimal Equivalent −

Step Binary Number Decimal Number

Step 1 111012 ((1 × 24) + (1 × 23) + (1 × 22) + (0 × 21) + (1 × 20))10

Step 2 111012 (16 + 8 + 4 + 0 + 1)10

Step 3 111012 2910

 Binary Number − 111012 = Decimal Number − 2910

OTHER BASE SYSTEM TO NON-
DECIMAL SYSTEM
 Step 1 − Convert the original number to a decimal
number (base 10).
 Step 2 − Convert the decimal number so obtained to the
new base number.
 Example

 Octal Number − 258

 Calculating Binary Equivalent −

STEP 1 − CONVERT TO DECIMAL

Step Octal Number Decimal Number

Step 1 258 ((2 × 81) + (5 × 80))10

Step 2 258 (16 + 5 )10

Step 3 258 2110

 Octal Number − 258 = Decimal Number − 2110

STEP 2 − CONVERT DECIMAL TO
BINARY
Step Operation Result Remainder
Step 1 21 / 2 10 1
Step 2 10 / 2 5 0
Step 3 5/2 2 1
Step 4 2/2 1 0
Step 5 1/2 0 1
CONTINUE..
 Decimal Number − 2110 = Binary Number − 10101 2

 Octal Number − 25 = Binary Number − 10101

8 2
SHORTCUT METHOD - BINARY TO
OCTAL
 Step 1 − Divide the binary digits into groups of three
(starting from the right).
 Step 2 − Convert each group of three binary digits to one
octal digit.
 Example: Binary Number − 10101 2

 Calculating Octal Equivalent − Binary Number − 10101 2

= Octal Number − 258

Step Binary Number Octal Number
Step 1 101012 010 101
Step 2 101012 2 8 58
Step 3 101012 258
SHORTCUT METHOD - OCTAL TO
BINARY
 Step 1 − Convert each octal digit to a 3 digit binary
number (the octal digits may be treated as decimal for
this conversion).
 Step 2 − Combine all the resulting binary groups (of 3
digits each) into a single binary number.
 Example: Octal Number − 25 8
CONTINUE..
 Calculating Binary Equivalent −

Step Octal Number Binary Number

Step 1 258 210 510

Step 2 258 0102 1012

Step 3 258 0101012

 Octal Number − 25 = Binary Number − 10101

8 2
SHORTCUT METHOD - BINARY TO
HEXADECIMAL
 Step 1 − Divide the binary digits into groups of four
(starting from the right).
 Step 2 − Convert each group of four binary digits to one
hexadecimal symbol.
 Example: Binary Number − 10101 2
CONTINUE..
 Calculating hexadecimal Equivalent −

Step Binary Number Hexadecimal Number

Step 1 101012 0001 0101
Step 2 101012 110 510
Step 3 101012 1516

 Binary Number − 101012 = Hexadecimal Number −

1516
SHORTCUT METHOD - HEXADECIMAL
TO BINARY
 Step 1 − Convert each hexadecimal digit to a 4 digit
binary number (the hexadecimal digits may be treated as
decimal for this conversion).
 Step 2 − Combine all the resulting binary groups (of 4
digits each) into a single binary number.
 Example: Hexadecimal Number − 1516
CONTINUE..
Step Hexadecimal Number Binary Number
Step 1 1516 110 510

Step 2 1516 00012 01012

Step 3 1516 000101012

 Hexadecimal Number − 1516 = Binary Number − 10101 2